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Amaranth is considered one of the most commonly produced and consumed indigenous
vegetables on the African continent. In Tanzania amaranth constitutes about 6% of total
hectares of vegetable planted annually. The genus consists of nearly 60 species, several of
which are cultivated as leaf vegetables, grains or ornamental plant. Most of cultivated
varieties of amaranth are relatively low in terms of leaf and grain yield, mainly due to lack
of improved varieties. This study was conducted to: a) To evaluate amaranth lines for both
leaf and grain production potential. b) To identify at least two lines with high potential for
grain yield and one line with both leaf and grain yield potential. c) To generate yield
information needed for breeding and improvement of amaranths and d) To conduct
participatory research as a demand-driven strategy to meet farmers‟ needs. An experiment was thus carried out at the World vegetable center (AVRDC) in Arusha, Tanzania in two
seasons; from February to May and May to September 2012. Fourteen lines (RVI00007,
RVI00130, RVI00089, RVI00138, RVI00090, RVI00116, RVI00002, RVI00001,
RVI00117, RVI00022, INCA, RVI00086, RVI00121 and RVI00021) were used in a
randomized complete block design. Data were collected on leaf yield, seed yield,
morphological characteristics and participatory selection. Results indicated that over the
seasons, leaf yield differed significantly (p ≤ 0.01) among the lines. Line RVI00117 had
higher leaf yield of 21 t/ha, while line RVI00089 had the lowest yield of 12 t/ha over the two
seasons respectively. Grain yield obtained after leaf harvesting revealed a significant
difference (p ≤ 0.001) among lines. Line RVI00021 had the highest seed yield of 1929 kg/ha, while line RVI00121 had seed yield (2920 kg/ha) over the seasons in plots where leaf
was not harvested.
Thirty-three agro-morphological traits for plant characteristics observed in both seasons
indicate similarities in the traits such as germination rate, growth habit and sex type, absence
of spines in leaf axils, seed coat type and presence of axillary inflorescence. However,
variability was observed in the rest of the traits. Cluster dendrogram analysis grouped the
lines into three main clusters according to their similarities. In this study line RVI00121
appeared to be preferred most by farmers following participatory selection whereas out of
five criteria agreed by farmers, the line was selected in top three in the four criteria. This
study found that line RVI00007 was the best for dual purpose (leaf and grain), while line RVI00121 and RVI00001 was the best for grain production. However, further investigation
was recommended to determine how timing and harvesting frequency affects the grain yield.
Similarly, the performance of lines when leaf harvested indefinitely without consideration of
seed yield needs investigation. Probably repeating the experiment in different agroecological
zones would also be necessary to reach a broad conclusion.